Since January 2015, 209 grizzly bears have died directly because of actions by poachers, cattle ranchers, and elk hunters, and via automobile accidents. This represents record levels of human-caused bear mortality. Photo by John E. Swallow

A federal judge in Montana last night issued an order blocking what would have been the first trophy hunting season on grizzlies since the 1970s, set to open in Wyoming and Idaho this Saturday. The ruling came in response to a motion filed by the Humane Society of the United States with a coalition of conservation groups, as part of our lawsuit challenging the federal government’s removal of Endangered Species Act protection for grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. The temporary restraining order lasts for 14 days while the court considers the merits of the case, for the moment sparing up to 23 bears from trophy hunters.

The hunt, which would have allowed for the killing of 22 bears in Wyoming and one bear in Idaho, cannot come at a worse time for the beleaguered Greater Yellowstone bear population, already troubled by an array of threats to their survival, each directly or indirectly tied to human activity. The bears’ primary plant and animal food sources are disappearing due to climate change and as they are forced to range further from their core habitat areas in search of food, they are increasingly drawn into conflict with livestock operations. These conflicts inevitably prompt calls for lethal removals of grizzly bears, further exacerbating pressures on their population. Given all this, it is inexcusable that the states entrusted with managing the imperiled bears should have rushed to authorize trophy hunting at such an extreme scale.

Bears also routinely wander beyond the boundaries of Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks, where killing bears is prohibited. In their encounters with humans since January 2015, 209 bears have died directly because of actions by poachers, cattle ranchers, and elk hunters, and via automobile accidents. This represents record levels of human-caused bear mortality.

This trend should have been a clear signal to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that Yellowstone’s grizzlies need ESA protections now more than ever. But, amid the rush to deregulate by the current leadership of the Interior Department, the best available science was ignored. Last year, we filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging the politically motivated decision to remove ESA protections for the bears.

Wyoming’s hunting regulations even allow for female bears to be hunted, further threatening the population’s reproductive capacity, and increasing the risk of orphaned cubs being left on their own to die.

The court’s order gives Yellowstone’s grizzlies a much-needed reprieve. But it is only temporary. Their ultimate fate will be decided when the judge issues his final opinion. This is a tough fight, but it’s one to which we’re dedicated in the fullest way. We remain confident in the strength of our position, hopeful that we will prevail, and as committed as ever to fighting to preserve American wildlife.

5 Comments

The Head of the US Fish and Wildlife socializes and hunts with the wealthy elite trophy hunters from hunting organizations like St. Hubertus, Boone & Crocket, National Sportsman Alliance, etc. who use him to influence their sick trophy hunting agendas all in the name of conservation. They also have a straight ear into Zinke through the individuals who hunt with Trump’s sons. This is never about conservation of the animals, their goal is to kill for sport because something inside of these trophy hunters is so terribly off. Hunters will always have an excuse as to why killing these bears is the right thing to do and they grossly detest intervention from any organization who gets in their way.

We must stop the shooting of bears
And their families especially in their dens!
The bears desserve to live and to be
Respected!
We must stand up and stop this cruelty and abuse! We need bears and their families in our wilderness places for our children and our children’s children!
Bears are conscious beings and they desserve our respect!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Alana DuBois

The Humane Society of the United States is registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Contributions to The Humane Society of the United States are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. The HSUS's tax identification number is 53-0225390.